NEWS
Yabatech to be Upgraded to University – Minister
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, says President Bola Tinubu has approved the long-awaited conversion of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) into a university.
Alausa confirmed the development on Friday while addressing the institution’s management during a visit.
“I discussed this with President Tinubu, and he approved it without hesitation.
I am now awaiting the official memo and necessary protocols,” he stated.“This institution is a legacy. With over 200 staff members holding doctorate degrees, it is more than ready to attain university status,” he added.
After inspecting and commissioning several projects, he expressed satisfaction with the institution’s maintenance culture, noting that most facilities were still in good condition.
“I commend your pursuit of excellence. Innovation and investment in technology are key to development, and the Federal Government will support you,” he assured.
The minister, however, urged the institution to prioritise innovation and vocational skills in its programmes.
He noted that in Europe, and elsewhere, technical and vocational education is incorporated into their curriculum.
He emphasised the government’s focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Entrepreneurship.
“We need to reshape our country, and Yabatech must key into technology again.
“Over 70 per cent of our population consists of youths, and we must equip them with technical skills. Developing these skills is crucial for national progress,” he added.
He decried the country’s overemphasis on white-collar jobs, which has led to high youth unemployment. “We must change this narrative,” he stressed.
Alausa urged the institution to take Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Coding seriously.
“If our youths excel in these fields, they can work remotely and earn foreign exchange.
“There are over 685,000 jobs available in Tech and Software Development. I challenge Yabatech to drive innovation and provide education that supports manufacturing and technology.
“This will strengthen the private sector, which in turn will drive societal growth. We must support President Bola Tinubu in moving the nation forward,” he said.
Alausa commended Yabatech’s Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, for endowment fund projects. He advised the creation of a robust alumni endowment office as a platform for giving back.
He also encouraged the institution to collaborate with industries to commercialise its research products. “Universities abroad thrive on endowment,” he pointed out.
Earlier, Abdul welcomed the development, stating that the institution, with over 200 PhD holders, is committed to raising standards and needs government backing.
“We aim to be a university of technical and vocational education, driving innovation and solving societal challenges for national advancement,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof Funso Afolabi, thanked the Minister for his visit and sought his support in meeting the institution’s demands.
The bill outlining the college’s change in status and its new name is expected to be sent to the National Assembly for passage and presidential assent. (NAN)
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has called for a lasting solution to eradicate environmental pollution caused by plastic wastes.
In her message to mark the year 2025 World Environment Day, with the theme ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’, in Abuja on Thursday, the first lady also advised people to curtail the way they consume food and drinks packaged in plastics.
“I join millions of Nigerians and the world in calling for urgent and united action to safeguard our environment.
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, affecting our health, our environment, and our future.“In Nigeria, we must rise to this challenge by changing how we consume packaged food items and how we dispose of plastic containers and bags.
“I particularly want to speak to our youths, the leaders of tomorrow, be it in schools or within our neighborhoods, each of you has a role to play in creating a cleaner, healthier and greener Nigeria,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu had recently promised to introduce environmental solutions clubs to schools through her NGO, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
“I want to use this opportunity to introduce our students to two programmes that the RHI will be launching soon.
“First is the Environment Club for Secondary School Students and the Environment Society for Students in Tertiary institutions nationwide to help us clean up our environment and grow more trees.
“Second is the “Flow with Confidence” for our girls in rural communities.
“This programme is to provide one year’s supply of disposable sanitary pads to our adolescent girls to support them to remain in school during their menstrual cycle,” She said.
NAN further reports that some of the functions of RHI environmental clubs in schools would include raising environmental awareness; fostering social and life skills; empowering students to take action and promoting sustainable behaviours.
The clubs can also enhance critical thinking and creativity, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen communities.
The club would encourage students to participate in various environmental projects, like tree planting, recycling, and garden projects, gaining practical experience and deeper understanding.(NAN))
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation on Wednesday evening banning citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States.The countries affected are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Nationals from these countries will be “fully” restricted from entering the U. S., according to the proclamation. Similarly, the entry of nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela will be partially restricted.The proclamation is effective on June 9, 2025 at 12:01 am EDT (5:01am Nigerian time).Trump said the move was needed to protect the U.S. against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats.“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a video posted on X.The U.S. President said the list could be revised and new countries could be added.He said the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbour a “large-scale presence of terrorists”.He alleged others failed to cooperate on visa security and had an inability to verify travellers’ identities, inadequate record-keeping of criminal histories and high rates of visa overstays in the U.S..“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States,” Trump said.Trump’s directive is part of an immigration crackdown that he launched at the start of his second term, pledging to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and “anywhere else that threatens our security”.Trump issued an executive order on January 20 requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking admission to the U.S. to detect national security threats.That order directed several cabinet members to submit a list of countries from which travel should be partly or fully suspended because their “vetting and screening information is so deficient.”During his first term in office, Trump had announced a ban on travellers from seven countries, a policy that generated so much controversies before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.However, former President Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump, repealed the ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.” (NAN)From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated the traditional ruler of the Okochiri Kingdom in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Ateke Tom on the occasion of his 61st birthday.Otuaro was among prominent guests that graced the colourful birthday celebration of King Ateke at his palace in Okochiri, Okrika Local Government Area, on Monday.
He described the Rivers monarch as “a respectable leader whose reign has brought about unity, peace, progress and development around his community. ”He stressed that King Ateke, who is also the ‘Sekuro of the Niger Delta’, was a great asset who had contributed immensely to the peace, stability, security and development of the region.Otuaro expressed his utmost regard for the traditional institution and the vital role of traditional rulers in the peace and development of communities in the Niger Delta.He noted that traditional rulers were among the critical stakeholders that the PAP was collaborating with to strengthen the programme’s peace-building process in the region.He reiterated that the programme was in safe hands, and strongly motivated by President Bola Tinubu to bridge the region’s human capital development gap through formal education scholarships and vocational training in aviation, maritime, agriculture, and other relevant trade areas.Otuaro said his policy of inclusivity had ensured the involvement of Niger Delta women in the programme’s initiatives, stressing that there were plans designed for their empowerment and contribution to the region’s socio-economic growth.He emphasized that he was focused on rendering quality service to the people of the region, and not distracted by the shenanigans of his detractors.Otuaro called on all stakeholders of the region to remain steadfast in the effort to sustain the prevailing peace in the region so that socio-economic and developmental activities could thrive around the communities.While expressing appreciation to King Ateke for his unwavering support to the programme, the PAP boss prayed to God to grant him long reign, longevity and good health.
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